​​​Geoplasma, a joint venture between Geocent, LLC, and Plasma Processes, LLC, has been selected to receive NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award for Phase I. Geocent, LLC, is a leading technology company sought after by clients and partners for consistently delivering the right solution. Located in nine (9) offices across the country, they have successfully provided innovative IT and high-end engineering services to federal, state, and local government; defense industry; and commercial clients for over 20 years. Plasma Processes, LLC, is a leading engineering and manufacturing company specializing in high temperature materials and rocket nozzles located in Huntsville, AL.

NASA received over 1,621 proposals in response to its 2017 solicitation and selected 399 research and technology proposals from 277 American small businesses and 44 research institutions. The SBIR Phase I contracts last for six (6) months.

Geoplasma will develop multifunctional radiation shielding composites for such applications as crew vehicles and habitats. The properties of these composites should provide the necessary shielding against galactic cosmic rays and structural integrity for the vehicles and habitats. In addition, their durability against the overall space environment, such as atomic oxygen, UV radiation, and temperature extremes, will also be evaluated. During a potential Phase II of this study, the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) Flight Facility (MISSE-FF) on board the International Space Station will be used to test these innovative composites against the combined space environment.

"Geocent is excited to be partnered with Plasma Processes, LLC, in the development of this cutting-edge technology that could be key to helping shield humans, sensitive payloads, and spaceflight components from the harsh environment in support of deep space exploration," said Bill Marks, Geocent's Vice President of Aerospace and Defense Engineering.

Phase II and III of the award will include testing the advanced composites in space environments.